[EN] 1200 weaned crossbred rabbits, individually
controlled, were fed ad libitum on Diet A (16.4 % starch, 15.3
% CF) or Diet B (24.B % starch, 11.6 % CF) from 28 to 49
days of age. Uve weight gain was not affected by diet (37.7
g/day). Feed intake and leed conversion were higher with
Diet A (95.5 vs 84.5 g/day and 2.55 vs 2.27 g/g, P<0.001).
Mortality was however lower with this diet (4.7 vs B.O %,
P<0.05). Another group of 60 rabbits was slaughtered at 38 or 49 days of age, the starch content of their digesta at the
distal ileum and caecum was determinad. Starcfí content of
ileal digesta and its difference with that of caecal digesta
variad with diet (hiRher in Diet B, P<0.001) and age (higtler at
38 days, P<0.001 ; interaction between diet and age was
also detectad (P<0.05), since the difference between diets
was larger at the earlier age.[-]